Man trying to open door prompts emergency landing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Authorities say an AirTran flight was diverted to a Memphis airport after a passenger tried to open an emergency exit on the plane.

In an e-mail to Memphis station WREG-TV, Southwest Airlines spokesman Brad Hawkins says AirTran flight 265 was on its way from Baltimore to Austin, Texas, Monday evening when it had to make an emergency landing in Memphis because of an unruly passenger.

John Greaud, the airport authority's vice president of operations, says the passengers deplaned so officials could interview them about the incident and check the plane.